February is Love a Picture Book Month. Love a Picture Book Night is March 7.

History: In October 2010, an article was published in the New York Times that stated picture books were no longer a staple for children, essentially dismissing the benefits of reading picture books. Our wonderful librarian – Ms. Sundstrom – made a 15-foot-long scroll in support of reading picture books, had it signed by 388 birch lane kids, staff, and parents, and then sent it to the New York Times. It was entitled “We Love to Read!” The letter opened with this statement: “we believe picture books are essential to the development of lifelong readers and learners.” The New York Times editor issued a statement in the times saying it was (and remains to this day) his very favorite comment “letter” ever received. You can see the letter and entire scroll here:

http://www.nytimes.com/letterscroll

Please help support the Birch Lane picture book month by reading picture books at home. They keep track of the total number read in class and the tally is graphically displayed in the library. More than 30,000 books were read last year! If you can, please sign up to help in the library the month of February. On March 7, there will be an evening celebration of reading picture books at school so save the date!